What does the term “Security Framework” mean to you? Broadly defined, a security framework is a structured set of guidelines, best practices, and standards that help organizations manage and mitigate security risks.
This definition, while accurate, understates its importance. The fact is, employing a defined cyber security framework isn’t a “nice-to-have” or a task for “next quarter.” Adopting a systematic approach to developing, managing, and implementing security measures is vital work and essential to sustaining successful operations in any modern organization.
Like many operational decisions, organizations often create frameworks that consider costs and benefits, in this case, balancing security needs with budgets. Any cost-benefit analysis considers risk. So, what’s one of the major risks present in every organization? Ready access to your systems.
Privileged Access Management (PAM) plays a key role in highly effective security frameworks. By limiting access to sensitive systems to only the individuals who need them, PAM helps protect against credential theft, insider threats, and other common routes of attack.
"In today's landscape where breaches create devastating consequences, safeguarding privileged access is paramount,” said Marcus Scharra, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of senhasegura. “Privileged Access Management isn't just a security tool in your security framework toolbox; it's a cornerstone of a robust defense strategy.”
PAM and Zero Trust
The Zero Trust Principle operates on the assumption that threats could be both external and internal. If anyone could be a potential threat, either because of duplicity or simply as a victim of a phishing attack, then we must treat every individual trying to access a network as a potential threat. A PAM provider like senhasegura will ensure all privileged accounts get only the access they need and are continuously monitored and verified.
Zero-trust also prevents credential theft, where attackers exploit stolen credentials to gain system access, leading to data breaches, exploitation, ransom, and reputational harm. Zero-trust reduces the risk of credential theft because compromised accounts are quickly identified and isolated.
senhasegura serves to eliminate such risks by helping clients incorporate PAM and adopt a Zero Trust approach that is both risk-based and compliance-driven. Threats will change. Attackers will grow ever more sophisticated. Therefore, a comprehensive and adaptive security framework is essential for protecting data – and reputations – in an increasingly complex world.
One Common Solution
Some businesses take a risk-based approach to their security framework, identifying crucial assets like customer data and then assessing potential threats and vulnerabilities. Other businesses take a compliance-driven approach – what do the regulators demand? Some organizations develop security frameworks designed to survive an audit quickly. Still, other networks adopt the NIST framework based on being able to identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover from a cybersecurity incident.
Each of these valid but varied approaches has something in common – employing PAM to monitor and verify your critical systems continuously will immediately bolster your efforts against the potential cyberattacks and breaches that keep us up at night.
Robert O’Shaughnessy is the founder and operator of OE Communications, a marketing and communications consultancy. Robert focuses on brand strategy, go-to-market strategy, content strategy, and building and mentoring teams. Robert has worked variety of industries including cybersecurity and is collaborating with senhasegura on growth and the North American market.
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